Local reopenings and specials you won't want to miss

The choices are endless in this gastronomic paradise we call the Bay Area. It's always so hard to decide where to eat next. Well, here is more food for thought that may help you pare down your "must-try" list throughout the weekend and into early next week.

This Friday, Mustards Grill reopens after clean up from the fire that closed it down in February and reportedy caused nearly $100,000 in damages. If the wine country is too far to travel, try the newly redone Grand Cafe. With executive chef Mauro Pando at the helm now, they have a new Brasserie menu featuring items from their wood-burning oven and a slew of dishes from land and sea.

On Saturday, May 2nd, Picán is hosting A Taste of the Kentucky Derby starting at 1:30 p.m. Bourbon and Burgoo-a-plenty, for sure.

Sundays are kids' night at Luella. Children under 10 can enjoy items off of the little luella menu like Shirley Temples ($1.50), mac and cheese ($4), chicken pot pie ($6), Margherita pizza ($5) and ice cream sundaes ($4).

Globe hosts Sunday Dinner from 6:00 p.m. until midnight showcasing fresh, local products from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market each week.

At Luna Park on Sunday through Thursday nights, there are "Blue Plate Specials," literally served on a blue tray. Ranging in price from $10 - $12, you can get comfort food that changes weekly but includes items like meatloaf, chicken fried steak, beef stew and vegan cassoulet. And, buy $5 drink specials like signature mojitos or sangria in...you guessed it...blue glassware. By the way, if you become a "fan" of theirs on Facebook or follow them on Twitter, you'll find out about cool promotions like their recent mustache night, wear your favorite hat night or password night where you can get special deals on food and drinks.

In keeping with the blue color scheme, I wanted to tell you about The Blue Plate Restaurant which is celebrating its 10th anniversary throughout the month of May with a three-course dinner for $25. You bet they're serving their famous meatloaf, and if you're a vegetarian, don't worry, they have an option for you. The meal will also come with a seasonal salad and dessert, and will be served during their early seating from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If it's super popular, they may offer this special throughout the rest of the evening. They have new hours starting Sunday and will be open for dinner seven days a week. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

For Cinco de Mayo, pop into Tres Agaves for beer and drink specials, live mariachi and a DJ all night. They open at 10:00 a.m.! Mamacita is adding special items to their menu just for the occasion and will have a traditional style mariachi band. They will be open from 3:00 p.m. until whenever the fiesta is over. If you're in the Peninsula, Hola! in Burlingame and Belmont will have drink specials, music, giveaways and their website says the Cuervo and Corona girls will be there. Doña Tomás in Oakland will offer their regular menu and stay open later than usual to accommodate revelers.

Tell me about your favorite dining adventures at . I'd love to hear from you! Happy eating!

La Mar is popularizing world-class Peruvian food one plate at a time

Saturday was date night with my husband and we had 9 o'clock dinner reservations at La Mar Cebicheria, Gastón Acurio's first San Francisco project at Pier 1½ next to the Ferry Building. I had read about Acurio, he is a heavy hitter in Peruvian cuisine. He owns many restaurants, has published cookbooks and is a celebrity TV chef. Beyond that, I didn't know what to expect.

We took a cab to the Embarcadero and were immediately drawn into the spacious, vibrant space, accented in blue, green and burnt orange hues. We were a tad early so hubby and I sidled up to the bar and grabbed a Cristal Peruvian beer ($5) and pisco sour ($10), respectively. My cocktail, made from distilled grapes with lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites and bitters was so refreshing. It was a perfect combo of tart, sweet, bitter and creamy. We decided to share the empanadas de ají de gallina ($10) while we waited. Two big, savory pockets filled with tender hen arrived with a small salad tossed in a sweet vinaigrette. It was delish! We were really excited about the rest of the meal.

As soon as we were done, the hostess led us past the bustling lounge and raw bar showcasing beautiful, fresh octopus, and into the main dining room where my seat offered a good view of the open kitchen. We shared a bunch of things, starting with the cebiche sampler. It consisted of four plates of fish briefly marinated in different types of "leche de tigre," or chili peppers and lime juice. The clásico featured California halibut and red onions in habanero pepper leche de tigre with Peruvian corn and yam. In the mixto, there was Mahi Mahi, calamari, octopus and habanero pepper in ají amarillo leche de tigre, with cilantro and red onion. In the nikei, ahi tuna was the star, with red onion and Japanese cucumber, in tamarind leche de tigre with avocado. Finally, the chifa consisted of Mahi Mahi with peanuts, scallions, ginger, pickled carrots, daikon, habanero pepper, wonton strips and cilantro with sesame leche de tigre. As many of you know by now, I don't do peanuts, so I had the chifa without, but it was still excellent. We enjoyed each kind immensely, and my husband says it was the best cebiche he has ever tasted. The fish was incredibly fresh and the flavors really popped. Just beware of those thin slices of habanero pepper hiding beneath the cilantro leaves, unless you like setting your tongue on fire.

The anticuchos de pulpo ($13), or grilled octopus skewers with herbed mashed potato with chimichurri sauce and ají panca, is a must. It's amazing. You get large pieces of tender octopus boasting a nice smokey flavor with a slightly sweet hint.

The causa limeña ($12) came out next. It had whipped potato with Dungeness crab, avocado puree, quail egg, cherry tomatoes, ají amarillo Huancaina sauce with basil cilantro oil. It was like a dressed up crab salad, tasty and creamy, but didn't wow us as much as the other items we sampled.

Our server was so enthusiastic about the anticuchos de corazón ($11), or grilled beef heart skewers, which he claimed were so reminiscent of the ones he found while traveling in Peru, that we had to give them a shot. We did this, despite our misgivings, having recently eaten duck heart elsewhere that was really tough and tasted like iron. Well, right on, Nick, you called it! It was surprisingly good, with a texture somewhat similar to a filet. The red rocoto sauce packed a lot of heat, wow! But fortunately, it was on the side so we could use as much or little as we wanted.

The complimentary basket of potato, sweet potato and plantain chips was good which is a testament to how well food is seasoned and prepared here. My husband isn't a big fan of potatoes, but he actually liked the potato chips the best. The chips were crispy, perfectly salted, cut on the thicker side and not all greasy. They came with three sauces: huancaína with ají amarillo, rocoto, and ocopa with peanuts. To boot, my husband also enjoyed the potatoes prepared in different ways in the rest of the dishes; what a nice surprise.

We were too full for dessert, but next time, I may save room for the rollitos de arroz con leche ($10), a rice pudding spring roll topped with homemade ají amarillo and orange marmalade with passion fruit sorbet. We'll see, because first, I want to try other items including tiraditos, sopas, salads, rice plates and main entrees. They also have an interesting wine list with varieties from South America, Spain and California which needs exploring. My husband and I finished our drinks, then rolled out totally content.

Our hostess and server were very friendly and attentive, and we appreciated it when the manager stopped by our table to see how we were doing. We loved the airy space and lively atmosphere, it felt celebratory. It would be great to return to La Mar during the day to take in the Bay view on their 80-seat patio which is decked out in breezy all-white furniture. If our second visit is as good as our first, then I wouldn't hesistate to recommend this place for a date, happy hour, girls' night out, a work event or private party. I'm guessing that Acurio will soon succeed in making cebiche as ubiquitous as sushi around town.

Monday morsels: feasts, festivities, free food and fresh spots

Zagat says One Market chef Mark Dommen is preparing a special five-course dinner highlighting fresh ingredients from local purveyors. Feast on signature items including Dungeness crab salad with avocado, cucumber and a lemon grass sorbet, Alaskan halibut cooked sous vide, and beef cheeks braised with...oooh... Guinness! Pastry chef Patti Dellamonica-Bauler will do, what else, dessert. The cost is $59/person before tax and tip, plus $15 for int'l beer pairing or $25 for wine pairing. Call 415.777.5577 to reserve your table!

Today, a new sushi place emerges in Hayes Valley, sharing company with the likes of Domo and Sebo. It is called Otoro Sushi, named after the tasty, melt-in-your-mouth, top-of-the-line bluefin tuna. In my book, there can never be too many sushi-izakaya style restaurants to satiate me. The big test will be the saba...205 Oak at Gough. They will be open for lunch (11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.) and dinner (5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., last call at 10:30 p.m.), Monday through Saturday, and for dinner only on Sundays. 415.553.3986.

Get your free KFC! Their latest "unfried" recipe is making its debut. Step into any location today and sample a piece of the Kentucky Grilled Chicken for yourself. The concept of grilled food at KFC sort of puts my head on tilt, but okay, I'll try it, especially if it's on the house.

I poked my head into Bistro Gambrinus last week and interrupted a meeting long enough to find out that they will open their doors at the end of the month. They are still working on their menu and applying finishing touches, but from the looks of it, there may be a new watering hole worth trying to find parking for on Fulton near Masonic.

Have you heard about Jamba's School Bananananza '09? Jamba Juice is donating 20% of sales to local schools until May 24th. See the website for more info or call your nearest location for a list of participating schools.

Not sure where you're going to celebrate Cinco de Mayo next Tuesday? Here is what's happening at several places in the city. Mercedes - Hair of the Dog Cantina will be open for lunch from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. so you can start whooping it up early. They will be closed for a private function in the evening. But, how about heading over to Tommy's Mexican Restaurant next? Yes, I know they are usually closed on Tuesdays, but they will be open, open, open from 12 noon until 11:00 p.m on this festive day. There's also T.G.I.Friday's which is offering some 5¢ appetizers to go with their blackberry margaritas, 4-7 p.m. Chevys will serve their regular menu, but remember, kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of a regular priced entree. I'll list more spots as Cinco de Mayo nears, so be sure to come back to my page soon!

Straits: a slice of Singapore in San Francisco

I took my friend out for a belated birthday lunch today, and since she works at Nordstrom, we decided to try Straits in Westfield Shopping Center. It has a Singaporean menu which reflects that country's cultural diversity. Four of the major culinary influences are Malaysian/Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and Nonya. There are many small plates, salads and big plates to choose from, so to get optimum sampling in, we shared a few things. We had the Roti Prata, a crisp, buttery, griddled Indian flatbread with a yellow curry dipping sauce ($7). It had an interesting texture that was crisp, chewy, and flakey and it was definitely buttery, kind of like a pressed croissant. The Poh Pia are freshly made "spring rolls" filled with jicama, carrots, prawns, Chinese sausage, ground nuts and egg served with a spicy plum sauce ($9). We enjoyed them sans nuts with the plum sauce that I actually found mild and fruity, not at all spicy.

The Fuji Apple and Prawn Salad was piled high with julienned apple and jicama, cilantro and three poached prawns in a light lemongrass-mint vinaigrette ($12). It was refreshing, but it would have been nice to have one or two more pieces of shrimp. My favorite item was the Ahi Tuna Tower, chopped ahi tossed with ginger, onion and kaffir lime leaf served with cassava chips, wasabi and black pepper ($15). I liked how the light crunch of the chips balanced the softness of the sashimi, and the clear-your-sinuses kick from the wasabi brought the dish to life, in a good way. My friend had a mango flavored Singapore Soda ($4) and I tried their house-mixed lemongrass and mint beverage ($4) which was sweeter and less minty than I expected, but I guzzled it down nonetheless.

Everything was attractively presented and service was great. While none of the food I tried knocked my socks off, I can see Straits as a fun change of pace once in a while when you need to refuel while power-shopping or want to meet friends for drinks and a bite to eat in that neighborhood. Tip: Bring your movie ticket stub from any theater the same day and get 10% off lunch or dinner (not including alcohol). See their website for other locations including Burlingame and Santana Row in San Jose.

For more info: Straits Restaurant

Cure the thirst, Spring lamb, new digs and something for mama

Haven't you worked up a thirst from this recent heat wave? Happy hour at Jeanty at Jack's just might quench it. Monday through Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., they feature $3 beer, $7 wine and best of all, $1 Hog Island oysters. Stay for dinner, too, since their food is so good!

Speaking of satisfying one's thirst, how about heading to Suppenküche for a few cold brews? They have valet parking now from Wednesday through Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., $7/car. For those of you who love their hearty German fare like I do, you can find recipes for their braised beef rolls with spätzle and marinated red cabbage online. Don't miss their anniversary party which is tentatively slated for May 21st; they should be able to confirm the date next week.

Next Wednesday, April 29th, Coco500 chef Michael Morrison celebrates Spring by preparing a four course tasting menu ($65) of central valley lamb. If you like, pair it with the newest releases from A Donkey and Goat, a wife and husband owned and operated winery in Berkeley ($30). Visit their website for the menu.

Did you know that Bar Crudo's last day on Bush Street will be April 25th? But don't worry, they are reopening at 655 Divisadero on May 1st!

The tablehopper notes that Chef Charlie Kleinman (Fifth Floor and Fish & Farm) has embarked upon a new project slated to open in the FiDi in June. It's focus? I bet you won't guess,...barbecue! I'll keep you updated as I get more info.

Don't forget that Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 10th. You can go to opentable to book your reservations.

Dining Out For Life: dine out, fight AIDS on April 30th

On April 30th, you can take part in Dining Out For Life, an annual dining fundraising event for HIV and AIDS organizations in the United States. More than 3,500 restaurants participate and nearly $4 million dollars is raised each year. Over 100 local restaurants will donate 25% of their food sales, and some will donate 25% of food and liquor sales. Some San Francisco restaurants include 2223 Restaurant and Bar, Amici's Pizzeria, AsiaSF, Butterfly, Catch, Chaya Brasserie, Destino, Foreign Cinema, Fringale, Lime, paul K, Pres a Vi, RNM Restaurant, Sauce and Slow Club. For a complete list, click here. All you have to do is make a reservation and enjoy a meal at your favorite participating restaurant, and the restaurants will do their part. Pretty cool, huh? Go here for a list of local sponsors.

Monday morsels

Finally! This Friday, Michael Mina's new project, RN74, opens for dinner in the ground floor of the Millenium Tower on Mission Street. This wine bar and restaurant is named after Route National 74 which passes through Burgundy, France. Executive Chef Jason Berthold (French Laundry, Per Se) and wine director Raj Parr (Rubicon, Mina Group) have collaborated closely to ensure that their 80-some page wine list pairs well with their affordably priced menu which is divided into three sections: fish and shellfish, garden vegetables and hand-rolled pasta, and meat and poultry. Priced between $14 and $17, items include Japanese Big Fin Squid Salad, Spring Garlic Agnolotti, Liberty Farm Duck Confit, and Sauteed Pork Belly. Lunch service begins on April 28th. 301 Mission Street at First. 415.543.7474.

Mid-June, Postrio will stop serving dinner as it undergoes a remodel, along with the rest of the Prescott Hotel. Personally, I think it's about time that this Wolfgang Puck eatery gets updated. It used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the '90s, but then the food and service started going downhill. Michael Bauer only gave it 1.5 stars last December. Look for the new, and hopefully, improved version in 2010.

Today is National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day!

Did you know that today is National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day? Pineapples are a tropical plant and fruit native to South America. In 1903, Jim Dole began canning this edible bromeliad. Although recipes for the pineapple upside down cake date back to the 1920's, the Dole company is credited for popularizing the cake in the 1940's. Traditionally made on top of the stove in a cast-iron skillet, these cakes used fruits like cherries and apples before the pineapple version was introduced.

In honor of this special day, I asked my friend, Mike Amoroso, to share his crowd-pleasing recipe with all of you. Mike is a San Francisco native and 10-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department. When he is not baking scrumptious treats like this, Mike enjoys cycling and spending time with his wife and two children.

Mike's Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Topping:
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 T to 1/4 cup of light rum, to taste
1 can sliced pineapple, drained (reserve liquid for the cake)
chopped walnuts (optional)

Cake:
1 package of Butter Recipe Golden or Yellow Cake Mix
1 stick of butter, melted
3 large eggs
reserved pineapple juice
whole milk, as needed to bring total amount of liquid to 2/3 cup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 10" cast iron skillet, melt 1/3 cup butter in the oven. Remove skillet and with a fork, stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon and rum. Smash the lumps until smooth and spread the mixture evenly on the bottom of the skillet. Arrange the pineapple slices so that one is in the center of the skillet and the rest are around the edges. Optional: Place walnuts in the center of the pineapple slices.

Put the cake mix into an electric mixer. Follow the instructions on the package to make the cake including butter and eggs, but substitute the water that the recipe calls for with the reserved juice from the canned pineapple. If needed, add whole milk to equal 2/3 cup total liquid. Be sure to stir the juice into the cake mix separately from the milk to avoid curdling. Blend on low speed for one minute, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat at medium speed for two minutes, then scrape again. The batter should be creamy and smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet on top of the pineapple slices. Smooth out the top with a rubber spatula and put the skillet in the oven.

Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Remove the skillet and run a sharp knife around the edge of the cake. Carefully invert the skillet onto a large heatproof serving platter. The cake should release freely onto the plate. If not, run the knife around the edge again and let the skillet rest on the plate until the cake releases. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Enjoy!

The recession: the impact on the Bay Area restaurant scene - Updated

Upscale eateries have scaled back their hours. Michael Mina is now closed on Sundays and Mondays, and Aqua has suspended lunch service. Jack Falstaff, Two and Manresa have also abandoned lunch.

Other businesses couldn't survive the economic downturn and closed earlier this year. A partial list of casualties includes Atrium, Azie, Baraka, Bong Su, Deep Sushi, Frisee, Gigi, Honu's, Lark Creek Inn, Lola's, Lou's, Mecca, Medicine Eatstation, La Vinoteca, Midpoint, Mustard's Grill, Pancho Villa, Pita Pit, Tansitaro Michoacan and Voda.

Another sign of the times is that many restaurants are running food and drink specials to draw customers. There are $9 dinners at Jovino, 5 for $5 at Two, half-portions with half-priced drinks at Zinnia, and so on. It presents an exciting, wide array of affordable dining options for those of us who enjoy going out.

Amazingly, the number of restaurants that have opened this year is greater than the number that have closed. Several newcomers include Heaven's Dog, Contigo, Midi, Pizzanostra, Cafe Altano, Picán, Adesso, Bar Lata and The Tipsy Pig. The Washbag reopened and Woodhouse Fish Company added a second, larger location. What does that mean? Restaurateurs and their investors are willing to take risks, betting that the Bay Area is still filled with die-hard foodies who will flock to the next soft opening, perhaps with slightly tightened pursestrings but the same zeal as pre-recession days. Many restaurant owners are demonstrating their flexibility and understanding of the market today by opening more relaxed spin-offs like Bushi Tei Bistro, Nopalito, La Folie Lounge and RN74 (Michael Mina's newest project opening Friday). Catering to people who continue to dine out, but on a more modest budget, seems like one of the smartest things to do.

And what is the most compassionate thing to do? Give. Many local restaurants have donated, and continue to donate food to the hungry during these hard times. Everyday, more than 150,000 people go hungry in the city of San Francisco alone. Since 1987, Mary Risley, founder of Tante Marie's Cooking School in San Francisco, started Food Runners to alleviate that hunger. Every week, Food Runners delivers 10 tons of food to the 300 soup kitchens, shelters, low-income residents, senior centers, childcare centers and group homes throughout the city. Restaurants like Aqua, Frisson, and Kokkari donate their surplus. In addition, participants in the Planned Overage Program including Amici's East Coast Pizzeria, Coco500, Delfina, Fog City Diner, Green's, Kokkari, Le Colonial and Piperade prepare weekly meals for 25-30 people for Food Runners to deliver to shelters.

Sources: San Francisco Business Times, San Francisco Food Bank, Eater SF, Thrillist, Foodrunners
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Update on April 19, 2009: Aqua has re-opened for lunch on Fridays, here is their menu. The above article misstates Manresa closing for lunch, they have always offered dinner only. Thank you, Greg, for alerting me. I have also learned that Enrico's suspended lunch service and has no future date for reinstituting it; they are open at 5:00 p.m., seven nights a week.

Cafe Gibraltar: Mediterranean jewel of Half Moon Bay

It's sort of funny how we discovered this place. My German friend and his family met a woman from Half Moon Bay while traveling in Arizona a couple of days ago. She spoke highly of Cafe Gibraltar which, as it turns out, has been serving delicious Mediterranean food since 1998. My friend, a former colleague whom I met during my executive briefing center days at Oracle, along with his wife and in-laws, agreed to meet us at that restaurant when they flew into town yesterday. Once you step inside this modest looking building, the warm hues, open kitchen and Moroccan-style seats in the back invite you to come in and relax. Everyone working there is friendly and laid back. Even during a power outage. It was especially gusty in the late afternoon, and when we arrived, the hostess informed us that they had just lost power. However, the chef didn't waver and we were told dinner service would proceed. And so it did, splendidly.

We were seated right away, and during conversation, we enjoyed beer and local wines from their esteemed list which earned Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Award of Distinction in 2007 and 2008. The 2005 Abundance Zinfandel from Mecarini Vineyards (Lodi) was especially nice; fruity, full-bodied and slightly spicy. We shared an appetizer and salad which were personal highlights. The Moussakaa Lubnani is a vegan, Lebanese dish comprised of eggplant, chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, chard, and a garlic melange that is slow-cooked in their wood oven. The Ahtapot Salatsi Salad is a well-spiced Turkish style dish made of octopus and calamari which is grilled then sauteed with garlic, chile flakes, lemon juice, green onions and tender herbs, and served warm on a watercress and red onion salad. We dove right in because it looked so good, so my apologies, there are no photos to share. I'll try to demonstrate more self-restraint next time. It proved to be as good as it looked, everyone had seconds and polished it off.

Somewhere along the line, power was restored, but I am not exactly sure when since service never skipped a beat. Our group sampled a variety of other dishes including a few specials. Both the creamed artichoke-corn soup and the ahi tuna entree filled with ingredients like tomatoes, beans, and olives were comforting. My husband's potato gnocchi with mixed mushrooms was tasty although several pieces of gnocchi that stuck to the sides of the tagine were overcooked and tasted a little burnt. From the main menu which is always changing, everything was well prepared and well executed. My friend had oysters, done chef-owner Jose Luis Ugalde's way: three wood-roasted, topped with pimenton aioli and champagne mignonette; and three raw, marinated in a Gazpacho coulis, topped with avocado and baby cilantro. My friend's wife ordered the Turkish housemade goat cheese baked in the wood oven with a slightly spicy tomato puree and pecan-sesame seed crust. There was also the vegan, Tunisian salad with orange segments, fennel, red onion, toasted cumin seed, mint, olives, avocado and a harissa-citrus vinaigrette. In addition, our table had the French-inspired Joue de Boeuf, Wagyu beef cheeks with beets, onions and a horseradish cream garnish. Today, in lieu of that, I see they are featuring Joue de Fletan, braised halibut cheeks with saffron tomato, preserved lemon, sea salt, olive oil and house cured olives which sounds just as lovely. My daughter opted for the familiar off the kids' menu: cheese pizza! Paired with sparkling apple cider, she was a happy camper. When she wasn't eating, she was dancing to the eclectic music playing in the background. Thankfully, none of our guests dining nearby seemed to mind, or at least they pretended as much.

By the way, many of the ingredients used here are organic, from meat and fowl, to vegetables and flour. I was too full to have dessert, but my friend and his wife shared a lemon tart with passion fruit sorbet which looked refreshing and good, if you like sour things. I sipped rosé with my friend's in-laws and my husband drank coffee, while we all chatted about visiting Germany one day, possibly during Octoberfest - but only in the small villages where it can be experienced authentically, not the big cities where the masses congregate by the millions. After dinner, I looked around and noticed that we were the only ones left. The waitstaff was seated at the bar eating their dinner. It was only 9:30 p.m. Just an hour earlier, the place had been bustling with customers. I guess folks turn in a little earlier in this coastal town. Regardless, this is such a great discovery, I will brave that winding, and sometimes sandy and windy road to get there and savor chef Ugalde's culinary magic again. So many dishes are calling my name! If the woman in Half Moon Bay is reading this, thank you, your recommendation was spot on! Others think favorably of this place, as well. Make sure to read some of their reviews.

Magnolia has new chef, service lacks attention to detail

Last week, Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery announced that sous chef Ronnie New is now executive chef. He has already infused New Orleans and Southern influences in dishes such as these on the dinner menu: Bourbon glazed spare ribs with corn bread and potato salad ($19), Bluenose bass with roasted sunchokes, artichokes and beet relish ($20), pan-fried pork chops with red eye gravy and mashed potatoes ($18) and mushroom ravioli with sage brown butter, dino kale and Grana Padano ($15).

Taking advantage of the fact that our daughter was down for a long nap after a fun Easter egg hunt at a friend's house, and that our son was at Grandpa and Grandma's house for dinner, my husband and I made our way to the Haight last Sunday to check this place out. We were excited to see that their touted housemade sausages were still on the menu ($12 with two sides). We tried the Portuguese linguisa, a salty, slightly spicy thin sausage that paired well with sides of German potato salad and tender rainbow kale. The bratwurst was okay, we had it with roasted sweet potato and sauerkraut.

Oddly enough, the beers and wine on tap seemed a little off. The two beers we sampled - Big Cypress Brown and Dark Star Mild - tasted almost identical and were lacking malty flavor and depth. And I am not a wine snob, but after an initial taste, I had to send back their special Sutton Cellars "Magnolia Blend" of syrah (60%) and carignane (40%) because it was slightly sour. The Tin Barn zinfandel proved to be a bit better.

As far as service goes, both the bar and kitchen had missteps during our meal for which our server graciously tried to take the blame. My first glass of wine came out completely dirty, covered in lipstick and remnants of pulpy orange juice from brunch-time mimosas. Our server said she saw the bartender wipe my second glass clean, but it still had lipstick on it. And after I inquired about the preparation of one of the dishes, our server asked the kitchen. She came back and explained it would be done one way, but to our surprise, it was prepared another. Hmmm. It was at that point that we decided not to try anything more.

I know Magnolia has a loyal following, so for those individuals, there will be a collaboration dinner with buddies from The Linkery of San Diego on May 11th. It is a beer/salumi "simul-dinner" showcasing cured meats from The Linkery and beers from Magnolia, starting at 5:00 p.m. in both places. Also at Magnolia every Tuesday, house beer is $3 all day. They have fried chicken on Thursdays starting at 5:00 p.m. until they run out, and Ronnie's Beer Dinners happen every last Wednesday of the month featuring a three-course dinner with beer pairings.

Overall, the sausages and sides were good, but the rest of the experience was less than impressive. Unfortunately, I'm not going to rush back to try the new menu, sorry chef New! It's sort of like comparing apples and oranges, but if my husband and I were in the neighborhood, we would definitely grab a seat at the bar at The Alembic instead. The food there is amazing, and they have a fun and unusual wine and beer list. But that's another review...

Monday morsels: meet the pizza champ, be a sommelier for a day, go halfsies

Happy Monday, people! Hope everyone had a fabulous Easter. Here are several fun things happening around the Bay Area.

For pizza lovers and kids. On Saturday, April 18th, Tony Gemignani will do a pizza tossing demo and sign his children's book, Tony and the Pizza Champions, at Books, Inc. in Alameda, 11:00 a.m. You may have seen this former world champion pizza maker and eight time world champion pizza acrobat on T.V., he's pretty entertaining. He co-owns Pyzano's Pizzeria with his brother in Castro Valley. In May, doors will open to Tony's Pizza Napoletana and International School of Pizza on Stockton Street in S.F. Housed in the same location, the school will operate during the day while the new restaurant will open at night. Tony will also appear at a booksigning at Kepler's in Menlo Park on Sunday, April 26th, 11:30 a.m.

For afficionados of the grape. A few days ago, UrbanDaddy SF covered Fifth Floor's exciting new program that allows you to become Sommelier for a Day. You get to shadow Master Sommelier Emily Wines (please, no jokes about her name) who is one of just 15 women in the country who hold this title. Sample a multitude of wines as you hone your winetasting skills. If you schedule on a weekday, you will get to meet winemakers and distributors and taste their newest releases. By night's end, you'll sit down and enjoy a meal paired with wine personally selected by Wines. Cost: $250.

Update: Wines just sent this sample weekday schedule to me:

"1:00 pm arrive and tour the restaurant, 1:30 taste through wines with vendors, 2:30 pull wines from the cellar for service, 3:00 staff wine training, 4:00 prepare tasting menu wines and taste sauces with chef, 4:30 family meal and line up with the staff to go over reservations and menu changes, 5:30 service begins, 10:00 late night dining. Typically sommeliers and managers sit down at the end of the evening to taste new dishes. Often I open a bottle of wine for everyone to try as well." Okay, I think I know what I want to do for my birthday next month!

For people who like to dine out but are watching their spending - isn't that all of us? Zinnia, which opened last October, has introduced Halfsy Hour in the bar and lounge. Get specialty cocktails, wines by the glass and premium beer half off while you enjoy chef/owner Sean O'Brien's (formerly of Myth) signature half-portion dinner items from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, Tuesdays - Saturdays. It's located at the Jackson Square site where The Cypress Club and Scott Howard used to be.

If you know of any cool events coming up in your area that you'd like me to mention, please share them with me at !

The Taco Shop at Underdog's is a great sports bar and tacqueria rolled into one

I recently reviewed Underdog's organic hotdogs, but aside from the common name and Irving Street location, this "Underdog's" eatery is a completely different, and honestly, even more compelling reason to head over to the Sunset if you don't already live nearby. Last September, Nick Fasanella, of Nick's Crispy Tacos fame in Russian Hill, and his friend and business partner Doug Marschke, teamed up to present all the things that a great sports bar and taco shop should have. I'm talking about lots of flat screen TVs; local sports team memorabilia and banners; a dartboard in the front; a coin-operated free throw basketball hoop in the back; several classic arcade games like Ms. PacMan, Galaga and Centipede; a jukebox; high-top tables for adults and wooden picnic tables in the back for families with kids; casual but friendly and attentive service; a variety of Mexican, domestic, imported and micro-brewed beers; margaritas and sangria; and oh-so-tasty Cal-Mex food.

Fassanella, who was trained at the Culinary Institute of America in New York's Hyde Park, sold his namesake eatery on Broadway in 2006 and opened The Taco Shop at Underdog's Sports Bar & Grill, his fifth restaurant venture in San Francisco. Other local projects include Tortilla Heights on Divisadero at Bush which has strong appeal with the single set, and an Italian deli in North Beach called La Spiaggia. Word of mouth is spreading that those beloved taco's made "Nick's Way" - one grilled crispy corn tortilla and one soft tortilla filled with fresh ingredients like steak, pork, chicken, pinto beans, pico de gallo, Monterey Jack cheese and guacamole - can now be found across town. They also have a variety of affordable burritos and quesadillas, tortilla soup, elote con queso (white corn brushed with lime salsa and dusted with cotija cheese and cayenne pepper), nachos, chicken wings, chips and salsa, and a grilled corn and black bean taco salad. Everything is made with local, organic ingredients for under $10, so you get good value for your buck. No wonder this place has such a loyal following already, especially among neighborhood residents and students.

If that's not enough, they have free Wi-Fi, frequent events and special deals. On Taco Tuesdays, grab $1 street tacos from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. Thursdays are college night, so with school I.D., get $3 well drinks after 9:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 18th, they will televise UFC 97 Redemption at 7:00 p.m., $15 cover. Check their web site for more happenings.

Now I'm craving a Carnitas Taco, Nick's Way. By the way, if anyone has an allergy to peanut products, this place is peanut-free! For more info: The Taco Shop at Underdog's 1824 Irving Street. 415.566.8700.

Tidbits: Spreadable salumi at Boccalone and half off vino at Terzo

Yesterday, urbandaddysf broke the news about Boccalone's first spreadable, spicy salame called Nduja. The kick comes from Calabrian chiles. You can get this stuff with grilled onions in a panini at the Ferry Building Marketplace. http://www.boccalone.com/

Word on the street is that Terzo in Cow Hollow (sibling of Rose's Cafe across the street and Rose Pistola in North Beach), is having a special now thru May 31st on vino. Get half off bottles $40 and less during dinner time. Sundays through Thursdays. http://www.terzosf.com/

Woodhouse Fish Co. is a great catch in Pacific Heights

The two brothers behind Woodhouse Fish Co. on Market Street, Dylan and Rowan MacNiven, have opened a second location in Pacific Heights. Just Tuesday, these Peninsula natives opened their doors for lunch, and what a welcome addition they are to the neighborhood. Located on Fillmore Street near Pine, this seafood haven is more spacious and offers a more evolved menu than its sibling. It's a bright, comfortable, simple yet well-decorated spot executed with the help of Jamis MacNiven, their dad. Jamis owns Buck's of Woodside and has built restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe which used to be on VanNess Street. When you go in, check out the big fish overhead and the framed flat screen featuring a boating and fishing video. Rowan and Dylan, whose middle name is Woodhouse, were friendly hosts who were rolling up their sleeves alongside their employees, greeting, seating, serving customers and answering phones. Gotta love that.

Chef Jon Hearnsberger, formerly of Anchor Oyster Bar, turns out some seriously satisfying grub. My parents and I had a great meal there yesterday. The cup of clam chowder was very flavorful, creamy, and filled with clams. It wasn't as piping hot as it could have been, but the recipe is a winner. The crab cakes were pleasingly light and crispy on the outside, filled with crab and had a nice crunch from chopped celery and green onion. Two crab cakes come with salad greens, tomatoes and beets in a light vinaigrette. The crispy calamari was equally impressive. Again, it had a perfectly light and crisp coating that wasn't greasy or heavy, and the squid was incredibly tender. The Ipswich clam roll and lobster roll were both piled high on a hearty toasted bun and came with thin-cut fries and slaw. Hearnsberger uses local and sustainable ingredients wherever possible so you can feel good about indulging.

Look at their chalkboard for daily fish specials. Yesterday, they featured health-conscious dishes such as halibut prepared in parchment light on the oil, as well as grilled salmon with asparagus. They don't have their wine and beer license just yet, but for now, you can order a make-your-own lemonade to wash down all that tasty goodness.

I can't wait to go back with my husband and kids and try everything else on their menu! They will be open for dinner service soon, once they get that liquor license. And they're not taking reservations right now, so feel free to walk right in. For now, their lot of two-tops and four-tops and 10 stools at the bar are enough, but once word gets out that they're open for business, I can imagine lines out the door.

Woodhouse Fish Co.
1914 Fillmore Street and 2073 Market Street
415.437.CRAB (2722)

Monday morsels: Michael Bauer's Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants and curry at Jovino

Michael Bauer's Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants for 2009 is out. I'm glad to see some of my favorite spots on the list like Aziza, Bistro Aix, Bix, Boulevard, H.O.P.R., Foreign Cinema, Kokkari, La Folie, Nopa, Perbacco and Slanted Door. Check out which restaurants got the boot to make room for some newbies.

Tonight is vegetable curry rice bowl night at Jovino. Everyday there's a different dinner for $9. Tuesday is chicken cacciatore and polenta, Wednesday is meat or veggie lasagna, Thursday is beef stew, Friday is fried chicken with mashed potatoes, Saturday is spaghetti with meatballs and a glass of house wine, and Sunday is meatloaf with cheddar mashed potatoes.

Specials on drinks and eats for SF Giants Opening Day

Opening day at the ballpark is right around the corner, and lots of nearby businesses are ready for the excitement. Check out what these places near AT&T Park are doing on April 7th. Go Giants!

Epic Roasthouse: Join fellow Giants fans for the first Epic Launch Party on the spacious patio from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sponsored by Blue Angel Vodka, this BBQ will be grooving to lounge music by DJ BKR and loaded with Executive Chef and co-owner Jan Birnbaum's tasty take on stadium food like grilled sausages and hotdogs, potato salad, and coleslaw. Drinks will be flowing from four satellite bars. If you prefer, settle in at the stately Pat Kuleto designed bar appointed with leather seats and catch the game on two flatscreen TVs. Or, grab dinner in the main dining room from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Epic Roasthouse, 369 The Embarcadero. 415.369.9955.

Momo's: The bar and kitchen will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. They will offer a condensed menu. When the Giants are away, they will bring back their $4 martini happy hour with $3 appetizers, Monday - Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They will also feature $4 beers on tap, wines by the glass and shots. By the way, Thursdays are Singles Night from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Enjoy Martini Hour specials plus $1 oyster shooters and $1 Jell-O shots. Momo's, 760 Second Street. 415.227.8600.

Paragon Restaurant & Bar: They will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., serving their full menu all day and bar menu from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. They will have a satellite bar on the patio which seats about 50. Go for $9 mojitos and large selection of vodkas. Paragon Restaurant & Bar, 701 Second Street at Townsend. 415.537.9020.

Tres Agaves: This purveyor of Jalisco-inspired cuisine and tequila, tequila, tequila is taking over three Mexican food concessions formerly run by Compadres at AT&T Park. In addition, they will serve their Opening Day bar menu all day in "La Plaza del Agave" in the rear of the restaurant. It offers two bars with two 10' TV screens and items like their bacon-wrapped all-beef hotdogs and tamales. To accommodate the anticipated crowd, they are also setting up a tent in the parking lot with a satellite bar. Did you know Tres Agaves is opening in Roseville later this month and in Las Vegas in 2010?! Ole! Tres Agaves, 130 Townsend Street at Second. 415.227.0500.

21st Amendment: For those of you who are really hard core, the bar opens at 9:30 a.m. and the kitchen opens at 10:00 a.m. Don't miss the release of their "Opening Day IPA" which they only brew once a year. View the Opening Day menu along with the rest of their menus on their web site. Of course, the ever-popular Build Your Own Burgers are featured on all but the brunch menu. Open until midnight. 21st Amendment, 563 Second Street. 415.369.0900.

Waterbar: Take a seat at this Pat Kuleto and Mark Franz project (Epic's sibling) and sip "A Spa in Cabo," their special $5 happy hour drink made of Jose Cuervo Reserve tequila, lime and cucumber. Happy hour is from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also get $1 local oysters from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and enjoy a Down the Line prix fixe dinner for $40. Add a bottle of red or white wine for $20 more. Waterbar, 399 The Embarcadero South. 415.284.9922.

No trip to Japantown would be complete without a stop at Benkyodo, a coffeeshop run by brothers Ricky and Bobby Okamura in Buchanan Mall. This is no ordinary coffeeshop. Ricky and Bobby are third generation manju makers, part of a dying breed of artisans who make these traditional confections by hand each day. Benkyodo celebrated its 100th anniversary in June 2006. If you stop by on a Saturday, be prepared to wait in line and go early because they can sell out fast. It's kind of amusing to see how East meets West here, for my kids often look forward to ordering a hotdog with their kuri goma manju, baked manju with smooth white beans and sesame seed garnish. When I'm there, it's hard to resist my childhood favorite, dorayaki, a pancake style manju filled with whole red beans. Benkyodo also has fun flavors like strawberry, peanut butter and chocolate marshmallow mochi! Benkyodo Co.,1747 Buchanan Street. 415.922.1244. Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.


Another popular place is Sophie's Crepes in the Kinokuniya Building. Especially in the evenings, crowds converge to watch the simple yet mesmerizing wonders of their paper-thin crepe being made through the storefront window. They have lots of savory and dessert varieties. My kids love the one filled with vanilla ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream, both with and without chocolate sauce drizzled on top. Sophie's Crepes, 1581 Webster Street. 415.929.7732. Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.

If Sophie's Crepes is too crowded, try Belly Good Cafe & Crepes next to May's Coffee Shop in Kintetsu Mall. They make deliciously soft crepes. Belly Good Cafe & Crepes, 1737 Post Street. 415.346.8383. Open 7 days a week.

Don't forget the Yasukochi's Sweet Stop, a little gem tucked away in Super Mira market on Sutter Street between Buchanan and Laguna. It is run by Thomas "Moses" Yasukochi and his wife Hatsy. They make an assortment of treats, including guava cake and their famous coffee crunch cake. They now have a chocolate crunch cake, chocolate cake and whipped cream covered with chocolate crunch. Here's a cool fact: Moses was one of the original members of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo which is the oldest and largest professional taiko group in the Western world led by Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka. Yasukochi's Sweet Stop, 1790 Sutter Street. 415.931.8165. Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.


At Murata's Cafe Hana in the Kintetsu Mall, you will find beautiful pastries, chocolates and a variety of ice cream flavors including green tea. They also sell stuffed animals, candy and small gifts, and make lovely floral arrangements. There has been exciting news for owner Carol Murata recently. In February, she unanimously won a bid with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission to run the concessions at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. I can't wait to see how she infuses her traditional Japanese touches and artist eye to the garden! Murata's Cafe Hana, 1737 Post Street. 415.567.9133. Monday - Thursday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

There are several other places to satisfy your sweet tooth in Japantown, but these are our family's favorites. Make sure to save room for dessert while you're taking in the Cherry Blossom Festival over the next two weekends. 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 2009. Queen Program, Saturday, April 11 and Grand Parade, Sunday, April 19.

As a native San Franciscan and Sansei, or third generation Japanese American, the Cherry Blossom Festival holds special meaning to me. I look forward to those two weekends in April when Japanese, Japanese Americans and the greater community gather together in San Francisco's Japantown to celebrate cultural heritage and pride. During childhood, I participated in the Cherry Blossom Parade as a student at Morning Star School and girl scout in a Japanese American troop. When I was in my 20's, I had the pleasure and honor of representing Northern California as the 1991 Cherry Blossom Queen. That year was filled with invaluable learning experiences, including a goodwill trip to San Francisco's sister city, Osaka, and meetings with key individuals and companies in Tokyo. It spawned new and meaningful friendships, greater self-confidence and interpersonal skills, and a deeper appreciation of my ethnic roots.

This year, the Festival takes place on April 11, 12 and April 18, 19th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Highlights include the Cherry Blossom Queen Program on April 11th at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, a Karaoke Song Festival, cultural exhibits, an anime costume competition, and live entertainment including taiko performances and martial arts demonstrations. On Sunday, April 18th, the Grand Parade starts at 1 p.m. at the Civic Center and ends at Fillmore Street in Japantown. Actor George Takei, most recognized for his role as Mr. Sulu in Star Trek, will be the Grand Marshall. Of course, there will be plenty of food booths. A total of 29 groups will sell snacks including BBQ ribs (Asian American Recovery Services and Asian Firefighters Association), Teri Burgers (Kimochi, Inc.), pineapple hotdogs (Cherry Blossom Festival), gyoza (Miwa Kai Dance Group), shaved ice and fried mochi (Kagami Kai).



If you're looking for more of a sit-down experience, try these casual spots that are easy on the wallet for lunch or dinner. For traditional soba and udon, Mifune in the Kintetsu Mall is the place to go. They have slurpable bowls of noodles in tasty broth with various toppings. You can also get shabu shabu, sukiyaki, donburi and crispy korroke, or Japanese potato croquettes. My kids love the cold zaru soba and unagi don. Admittedly, service can sometimes be lackluster, unless you get Maya who is a sweetheart, but remember you're there mainly for the food. Mifune's sibling, Mifune Don, is located in the Miyako Mall upstairs and has a similar menu but also serves good okonomiyaki, savory Japanese-style pancakes. Izumiya in the Kinokuniya building is also known for their okonomiyaki. There is piping hot ramen that hits the spot at Tanpopo in Buchanan Mall. They have assorted shoyu (soy sauce) and miso ramen as well as some non-noodle dishes like mackerel and gyoza. You can eat at the counter and watch Japanese TV. The only unusual thing about this place is that they don't serve hot tea unless you order it from a can or bottle which is displayed on the counter. They will heat it up for you and serve it in a teacup. It's odd, but I can overlook it since the ramen is so satisfying. If you're craving sushi, Fuku-Sushi is open for dinner in the Kinokuniya building. Toraya across the street from the Japantown Mall on Post Street also serves good, fresh sushi. Nothing fancy, in fact, it has been there since I was a kid and could really use a facelift, but it serves decent traditional fare and is relaxed and spacious enough for larger groups and kids. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article which will cover desserts!

For more info: 42nd Annual Northern Cherry Blossom Festival. (Photo of cherry blossoms courtesy of AP/Haraz N. Ghanbari).

Coming up: gala dinner and tasting event - Taste of the Nation San Francisco

On April 23rd, enjoy great food, spirits and wine from some of the most exciting chefs and mixologists at Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation event to end childhood hunger in the U.S. The Tasting Reception ($75) includes sweet and savory bites from more than 20 of the Bay Area's best restaurants plus signature cocktails, wine and beer in the Field Club Lounge at AT&T Park. Some participating chefs are Charles Phan (Slanted Door, Heaven's Dog), Mark Sullivan (Spruce), Jason Fox (Bar Tartine), Michelle Mah (Midi), Jordan Grosser (The Alembic), Scott Youkilis (Maverick), Liza Shaw (A16),and Tasting Event host Jamie Lauren (Absinthe). Participating bars include Elixir, 15 Romolo, Beretta, Bourbon & Branch, Conduit and Heaven's Dog.

Tickets to the VIP Gala Dinner and Tasting Reception ($250) include early admission to the tasting event and a multi-course dinner at ACME Chophouse hosted by Traci Des Jardins (ACME Chophouse, Jardiniere, Mijita). The impressive line-up of dinner chefs also includes Chris Cosentino (Incanto), Iron Chef Michael Symon (Cleveland's Lola/Lolita), Gavin Kaysen (NYC's Cafe Boulud), Koren Grieveson (Chicago's Avec) and Host Chef Thom Fox (ACME Chophouse). Chef Elizabeth Falkner (Citizen Cake, Orson) will provide dessert.

This event benefits Foodrunners, Children of Shelters and Sports4Kids San Francisco. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised over $70 million to make sure kids in America don't grow up hungry. For more info: Share our Strength.

La Folie opens Russian Hill lounge today!

One of my all-time favorite special occasion restaurants is opening a lounge adjacent to its upscale Russian Hill eatery, and I can't wait to check it out! La Folie Lounge opens today from 5:30pm-1:00am and will serve French-inspired cocktails and nibbles. Thrillist got a copy of their bar bites menu which isn't posted on the La Folie web site yet. Mmmm, it looks like this will be a great way to enjoy chef/owner Roland Passot's exquisite cooking without putting too much stress on the pocketbook. I am counting down the hours until they open!

La Folie Lounge, 2316 Polk Street. 415.776.5577.

Moveable Feast showcases collaboration between local chefs and farmers

Every first Tuesday of the month, Moveable Feast showcases a farmer from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and two local chefs. There are five remaining multi-course, seasonal dinners out of a series of six. The first event took place on March 3rd at Luce in the InterContinental San Francisco, hosted by Luce's executive chef Dominique Crenn and Chris Krenner, formerly of Slow Club and Serpentine. They showed early spring produce from Louis Iacopi of Iacopi Farms.

On April 7th, One Market's executive chef Mark Dommen and Lark Creek Inn's executive chef Erica Holland-Toll will combine talents at One Market, highlighting farmer David Retsky of County Line Harvest.

On May 5th, Bruce Hill, executive chef of Picco and Bix, will team up with Ame executive chef Greg Dunmore and David Evans of Marin Sun Farms at Picco in Larkspur.

On June 2nd, executive chef Mark Sullivan of Spruce and guest chef Loretta Keller of Coco500 and The Moss Room will join Kristie Knoll of Knoll Farms at Spruce.

On July 7th, executive chef Mourad Lahlou of Aziza and James Syhabout, formerly Chef de Cuisine of Manresa and soon to open Commis, will focus on farmer Jesse Kuhn's produce from Marin Roots at Aziza.

The final dinner will take place on August 4th at Americano with its own executive chef Paul Arensam and Incanto's guest executive chef Chris Cosentino, featuring Joel Schirmer of Dirty Girl Produce.

Tickets for each event are $80/person, $100/person with wine. A percentage of each ticket will benefit CUESA, the Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture, operator of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. All dinners start at 7pm. Purchase tickets here.

For more info: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market